Walter ii



(No Model.)

W. H. LAWSON.

7 00mm HANDLE. No. 463,865 Patented Nov. 24, 1891.

W/liwesses" IVALTER H. LAWSON, OF DETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO TIMOTHY L. PARTRIDGE, OF SAME PLACE. I

COFFIN-HANDLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 463,65, dated November 24, 1891.

Application filed July 13, 1891.

liar construction, arrangement, and combination, with the handle-plate of a coffin or casket, of a scutcheon or cover, whereby a more finished. appearance is obtained, all as more fully hereinafter described and shown.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ordinary coffin or casket handle with an ornamental scutcheon of my invention detached. Fig. 2 is a detached perspective view of the scutcheon looking at the under side. Fig. 3 is a horizontal section of Fig. 1 with my scutcheon in place. Fig. 4: is an elevation of the device so applied over the handle-Plate.

A is the handle-plate provided with the usual handle B, pivotally secured thereto and fastened to the sides of the coffin or casket by screws 0, all of known construction and operation, as hereinafter described.

D is a scutcheon preferably stamped of metal in any suitable ornamental form and substantially of a size and configuration to form a cover over the handle-plate. This scutcheon is made open on the lower side, so as to adapt it to form a sliding cover on the handle-plate. It is also cut out to leave the handle free to be operated within the limit of its movement. This cover is secured to the handle-plate by any suitable sliding engagement. One preferable wayI have shown in the drawings, which consists in forming on the vertical edges of the handle-plate the reverse bevel D, and corresponding'therewith I form on the edges of the scutcheon two tongues E on opposite sides adapted to engage with the undercut portion or bevel of the handle-plate.

In practice, the parts being constructed and Serial No. 399,362. (No model.)

arranged substantially as described, the handle is secured in the usual manner by screws 0 to the body of the casket or coffin and then the scutcheon is slidingly engaged thereon in the manner described, so as to cover the entire portion of the handle-plate exposed to view, the vertical slot provided for in the scutcheon leaving the handle proper exposed and free to be operated.

It is well known to those dealing in and using these goods that they have to be made of a very high grade of finish, which is either obtained by covering them with satin, silk, or other fabric, or by high polish and plating; but it is impossible not to mar their appearance with the screw-driver in securing them to the coffin or casket, and, furthermore, the appearance of the screw-heads and of the holes formed by the pivot-pin of the handle itself is unsightly and mars the perfect look of the work. With the use of my device this unsightliness is all covered up, and, moreover, it costs less to produce afinished appearance by covering an ordinary cheap handle-plate in this manner than by finishing the article 7 5 itself.

My scutcheon may be made in an ornamental manner of any desired material either be covered with fabric or finished .in any other desired manner.

To prevent displacement on the handleplate after it is engaged thereon, I provide the scutcheon, preferably on its lower edge, with a projecting portion or lug d, which may be bent down upon the handle-plate after the scutcheon is secured in place. The tongues cl, which hold the scutcheon in place, may be formed in one piece with the scutcheon in stamping.

' \Vhat I claim as my invention is 1. As a new article of manufacture in coffin or casket handles, a sliding cover or scutcheon adapted to cover or conceal the fasteningplate of the handle, substantially as described.

2. The combination, with the fastening- 5 plate of the handle, of a scutcheon open at its lower side and provided with an opening for the handle, said scutcheon having a sliding engagement withsaid plate, substantially as described.

slot extending into the body of the scutcheon, tenons or hooks formed on the edges thereof, and a securing lug or projection on its lower edge, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.-

ALTER II. LAlVSON.

\Vitnesses:

M. B. ODOGI-IERTY, A. L. IIOBBIE. 

